Anyone know of any official or unofficial rules for Tau in Inquisitor? I know there's the Water Caste envoy, but is there anything else in the way of general rules?

I was also interested in finding the Kroot rules, though there's another thread asking about that already.

Catferret

23-04-2007, 12:18

The older version of Army Builder had Fire Warrior stats and weapons in but I don't know who came up with the rules I'm afraid.

Charax

23-04-2007, 12:27

The water caste envoy and his equipment (including pulse pistol) is the only official set of Tau rules for Inquisitor.

As far as unofficial rules? where to begin... well, These (http://www.specialist-games.com/inquisitor/forum_b/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6671&whichpage=1) are pretty decent

Sabbad

24-04-2007, 16:35

The various Tau Castes have become fairly distinct physically after generations of selective breeding through reproducing solely with member of their own Caste. As such, I doubt there would be a single "Tau" profile, just like there isn't a "human" profile. Fire would be tougher than Earth, who would be tougher than Water, who would be tougher than Air...

I don't really see what the probelm is though - how would a non-Water Caste Tau fit into Inquisitor anyway?

Odin

24-04-2007, 20:51

The various Tau Castes have become fairly distinct physically after generations of selective breeding through reproducing solely with member of their own Caste. As such, I doubt there would be a single "Tau" profile, just like there isn't a "human" profile. Fire would be tougher than Earth, who would be tougher than Water, who would be tougher than Air...

I don't really see what the probelm is though - how would a non-Water Caste Tau fit into Inquisitor anyway?

Well, I was thinking about a Radical Inquisitor working with the Tau, with maybe a Pathfinder bodyguard. He might have a Tau pilot that turns up in the occasional mission, and maybe a Tau mechanic to keep the ship in order and help him in missions where technical expertise is required. I think that covres all the castes other than Etherial.

Sabbad

24-04-2007, 20:56

Working WITH the Tau? Good lord. You weren't kidding when you said he was Radical...

I think alien auxillaries (Kroot, Demiurg, Jahaati) would be more appropriate than a Pathfinder bodyguard. Tau Fire Warriors fight upon the large pitched battles of the 41st Millenium. They don't follow Inquisitors around.

Dyrnwyn

25-04-2007, 04:56

Well, I was thinking about a Radical Inquisitor working with the Tau, with maybe a Pathfinder bodyguard. He might have a Tau pilot that turns up in the occasional mission, and maybe a Tau mechanic to keep the ship in order and help him in missions where technical expertise is required. I think that covres all the castes other than Etherial.

That's pretty radical. More radical even than my radical Inquisitor, who might want to protect his source of Tau technology and technical knowledge, but would not be traipsing around with a Tau over the entire galaxy. I do agree with Sabbad though. A Kroot would probably fit better into the bodyguard role than a Fire Warrior.

Odin

25-04-2007, 13:53

Well, I was planning to have a Kroot mercenary as well.

My idea was that this Inquisitor is a kind of Thorian, but a particularly unusual kind. He believes the Emperor has had many incarnations, and not just as a human. He has become disillusioned by the beurocracy and infighting on the Imperium, and believes it has failed to live up to the Emperor's vision. However, he sees the Tau Empire as much closer to what the Emperor intended to create, and believes that mankind should become part of the Tau Empire (and obviously, due to sheer numbers, a major part).

But he's not daft - he knows this sort of thinking will get him declared a traitor and hunted down. So he is careful to disguise his more radical leanings. Even so, he frequently falls foul of puritan and even moderate Inquisitors, and it will surely not be long before he is declared a traitor.

That's the basic idea. About as radical an Ordo Xenos Inquisitor as you can get.

Xisor

25-04-2007, 14:55

Why you'd see non-Water Caste Tau

Aun
They are the Inquisitors of the Tau empire! Each one of them entrusted with the complete authority of the Greater Good...ie over any other Tau/Citizen (Argument: Aun'la vs Shadowsu-> Aun'la every time). They'd make excellent central warband 'leaders' (espcially Aun'la, IMO) and fit well into the intrigue that is central to the Inquisitor Game!

Shas
Bodyguards, most obviously. On frontier and newly conquered worlds the Shas would form up an excellent 'martial law' division. Ie swap your pulse rifle for a stun gun or taser, full Tau armour for a light (but prominent and visible) vest, have had extra training from the Water Caste (in fact: I envisage a 'trio' setup rather than a 'cop+partner-cop' as we're used to on Earth. That is: 1 Fio, 1 Por, 1 Shas making up 'justice' squads of one form or another. The Shas to wrestle any badguys, the Por to actually speak to people and the Fio as the investigator/detective) and generally forming much more of a 'police' role than the battleforces we envisage normally as Shas duties.

I mean: Why would every Shas be a soldier when there's so many more martial areas to look to? Soldier-Shas are perhaps merely the most common 'front', whilst the frontier worlds find themselves heavily inundated with police Shas?

Just a rambling thought of mine. It makes sense to me for Shas to be used in more activites than just soldiering!

Kor

Kor are pilots, in every aspect. But they're likely valued aides to Ethereals and others. Not to mention that there'd be Kor 'coordinators' overseeing drone-ran transport networks and such (of course, for one Kor there'd be a good dozen Fio technicians and a couple of Por beurecrats who do the personal management etc).

Just some thoughts!

Sabbad

25-04-2007, 20:27

Aun: They are the Inquisitors of the Tau empire!

No they're not. They're more like the High Lords of the Tau Empire, and about as likely to feature in the "Secret War" type games of Inquisitor. Besides, even if your analogy was true, Inquisitor is set in the Imperium not the Tau Empire (unless you can persuade all your gaming buddies to run Tau Warbands, which is unlikely).

Shas: Bodyguards, most obviously.

Really? Bodyguards for who? Tau Water Caste? Having a bunch of trigger happy armed guards pointing pulse carbines at you whilst you're trying to negotiate isn't very diplomatic is it! Fire Warriors belong in 40K.

Why would every Shas be a soldier when there's so many more martial areas to look to? Soldier-Shas are perhaps merely the most common 'front', whilst the frontier worlds find themselves heavily inundated with police Shas?

I don't think the Tau have police. Crime is anathema to the Greater Good, a direct contradiction to the Tau utilitarian beliefs. It is putting your own interests before those of the collective race (or coalition of races). As such, there is no crime.

The three big exceptions to this rules are Tau who don't swallow the Greater Good (which is few), non-Tau races who aren't quite so altruistic (eg. humans) or recently conquered worlds. In these cases, the relatively few people who commit crime aren't criminals - they are rebels! They are fighting to reject the Greater Good and as such are massacred by Hunter Cadres operating out of the nearest Shas military base.

In the case of alien worlds (Kroot, Demiurg, Human), policing is handled however the ruling elite of that alien world sees fit eg. the Tau-sympathising ex-Imperial Governor might choose to keep his old Enforcers around. Whatever they choose, I'm sure it doesn't involve Fire Warriors setting speed traps and following up on vandalism accusations.

Of course, this is all unrelated to the topic really - to reiterate what I said above, Inquisitor is set in the Imperium not the Tau Empire.

Kor: Kor are pilots, in every aspect. But they're likely valued aides to Ethereals and others.

Why?

Not to mention that there'd be Kor 'coordinators' overseeing drone-ran transport networks and such (of course, for one Kor there'd be a good dozen Fio technicians and a couple of Por beurecrats who do the personal management etc).

I don't see why there would be any Kor or Por around - transport is drone run, Fio keep it ticking. What would use would a pilot be in that situation?

Seriously, Tau Fire Warriors (and Ethereals and Air Caste Pilots) belong in Inquisitor about as much as Ork Boyz and Carnifexes.

Odin

25-04-2007, 22:40

Sorry Sabbad, but I think you're mostly talking rubbish.

Inquisitor is set in the Imperium? Generally, yes. Exclusively? Why? What about border planets, new settlements, reconquered systems? What about the Tau trying to sway planets to join their Empire (they don't just conquer by force you know), or scouting out planets that might be suitable for invasion? As with anything in Inquisitor, the GM decides.

I think Xizor has a good point about the Fire Caste. Surely there is a place in Tau society for bodyguards, law enforcement, local fire brigades - I'd say the Shas would fill these roles surely? And I can't see the Tau not needing law enforcement of some kind - if you believe that the Tau Empire is a utopian society you're just buying into their propaganda (remember, most Codexes are written from the point of view of their race).

Just because there is limited material on the Tau Empire does't mean it isn't far more intricate that what is presented in the Codex.

Sabbad

26-04-2007, 12:38

Sorry Sabbad, but I think you're mostly talking rubbish.

People say I do most of the time :p

Inquisitor is set in the Imperium? Generally, yes. Exclusively? Why? What about border planets, new settlements, reconquered systems? What about the Tau trying to sway planets to join their Empire (they don't just conquer by force you know), or scouting out planets that might be suitable for invasion? As with anything in Inquisitor, the GM decides.

These are all reasonable settings for an Inquisitor campaign. Heck, about two weeks ago I finished GM-ing a campaign set on the Eastern Fringe, with a planet that the Tau had territorial interests in. But when attempting to sway planets, they send Water Caste. When scouting out planets, they send Water Caste (or drones). In the case of recently conquered/unstable worlds, they send ARMIES of Fire Warriors. Fire Warriors, Ethereals etc. are not suitable for the first two examples. The Inquisitor game set is not suitable for the last one.

I think Xizor has a good point about the Fire Caste. Surely there is a place in Tau society for bodyguards, law enforcement, local fire brigades - I'd say the Shas would fill these roles surely? And I can't see the Tau not needing law enforcement of some kind - if you believe that the Tau Empire is a utopian society you're just buying into their propaganda (remember, most Codexes are written from the point of view of their race).

I'm not saying that ALL Tau swallow the Greater Good (though I'd imagine that over 99% of them do). I'm saying that if you don't take to the idea, you don't risk your life spreading your beliefs alone - in a society dominated by a single vision of morality, that's just suicide. "Rebel" Tau group together in covens and cults, and in the eyes of the Ethereals they are an enemy army like any other, eliminated by Fire Warriors from the nearest military garrison. Fire Warriors are soldiers, that is their job. "Police work" as we imagine it today just isn't applicable in the Tau's alien culture.

Just because there is limited material on the Tau Empire does't mean it isn't far more intricate that what is presented in the Codex.

Agreed. My paragraph above is based on my own interpretation of Tau society - there's nothing in the Tau Empire Codex explicitly stating how the Tau deal with these sorts of problems. Until GW writes more for the Tau, it's up to players to make stuff up for themselves - though this will inevtably result in conflict between players who have different views of Tau society.

Odin

26-04-2007, 13:09

Agreed. My paragraph above is based on my own interpretation of Tau society - there's nothing in the Tau Empire Codex explicitly stating how the Tau deal with these sorts of problems. Until GW writes more for the Tau, it's up to players to make stuff up for themselves - though this will inevtably result in conflict between players who have different views of Tau society.

Yup, it's mostly down to interpretation, which means in Inquisitor it's up the GM. But there would at least need to be a damn good reason for having a Shas in the warband. I'm inclined to have a Kroot Mercenary, and a Water Caste advisor who acts as liaison between the Inquisitor and the Tau.

Sabbad

26-04-2007, 14:15

I think that would be better. Perhaps throw in another alien auxillary (maybe Demiurg, maybe an alien race of your own choosing) to add to the ethnic diversity element of the Tau Empire.

HughbertofKhorne

26-04-2007, 15:07

I cant really see Aun in Inquisitor. But a Water caste Detective backed up by a Fire Cast Bodyguard/police officer and an Earth Caste Hacker? that would rock, be an interesting change from having loads of uber humans running around.

Xisor

29-04-2007, 02:37

For those who cannot see the Aun in Inquisitor:

You have been told of the Aun; those shadowy
beings which defend the Tau'va and our minds from the
perils of heresy, possession, unwise-
dominance and the Mont'au.

You have been told the Aun are the ultimate
defence against the phantoms of fear and terror
which lurk in the darkness between the stars.

You have been told the Aun are the bright
saviours in an eclipse of evil; purest and most
devoted servants of the Greater Good.

You have been told the Ethereals are united in their
cause to rid the galaxy of any threat, from without or
within.
The last thing you have been told is a lie!

Sure, the Aun'O are the High Lords, the Aun'el are the planet chiefs, the Aun'vre etc etc. But what about the Aun'la? What do they do? What about the ones that aren't destined to be overseeing the bulk of the Empire? The ones that are very simply skilled in smoothing things out. They just, y'know, skulk about the Empire looking for weakspots. Folks who even the Water Caste are having trouble getting to respond so a veteran Aun'la comes in and shakes things up a bit, has direct words with the Tau etc.

This is especially the case, IMO, on 'new worlds', those of not wholly or largely Tau populace. You wouldn't send only the Water Caste. How would they get there? (Kor) How would they defend themselves (competently)? (Shas) What if they need specific expertise? (Fio) Or something fixing? (Fio)

Okay, not exactly comprehensive but the truth is: I can't see them relying on the Water Caste that much.

When I put it that Shas would 'police' I mean in a joint effort with other castes. They are the 'brute' component of a trio, the cunning 'bring them in, alive' operator. Just like HughbertOfKhorne says; trio-teams are a fantastically interesting aspect for the Tau, certainly in Inquisitor.

Ethereals? I had an idea: The Flickering Lights in the Sky, the Run'suam'kor (obscure sky-fire). It's a loose association of non-mainstream Ethereals. Don't use proper channels and are afforded some leeway by the other Ethereals (largely, but the Ethereals aren't united in one single voice...hence honour blades). They'd be somewhere between the X-File Torchwood (not sex-aliens, but the 'idea' of a secret agency), MI5/MI6 and some sort of crack intelligence research unit. They oversee black ops and special investigations...they'd also be capable of continuing research into the Warp in spite of the moratorium on it Empire-wide after Medusa V.

There is scope for intrigue in the Tau Empire. Deep intrigue. Very deep, when you consider just how much power the Ethereals have...each one wields the Greater Good as a weapon and tool. Each has the authority of the Tau Empire(IMO). Only other Ethereals can 'overrule' them. Sounds awfully like that bunch of chaps entrusted with the full authority of the Emperor of mankind, doesn't it?

harlequin21

01-06-2007, 19:50

Rules for tau in inquisitor can be found on the specialist games website.
They are in the crone world campaign supplement.

I wouldnt have a fire warrior in a game on Inquisitor but i think a path finder would be much more appropriate as they are the scouts of the fire caste.

Sarison

02-06-2007, 18:40

You are all a bunch of Xenos Heretics. Burn the Alien and pray that the Emperor thinks your extermination of the abomination was quick enough.